Hollande’s alleged lover nominated for French Oscar

Julie Gayet, the actress reported to have had an affair with French President François Hollande, has been nominated for a César award, the French equivalent of an Oscar, it was announced on Friday.

Gayet was nominated in the best supporting actress category for her performance in Bertrand Tavernier's "Quai d'Orsay", a comedy set in the French Foreign Ministry.

Gayet plays the role of a mini-skirted adviser to the minister who is not shy about using her seductive powers to get what she wants.

The 41-year-old actress’s alleged affair with Hollande was revealed earlier this month by French gossip magazine Closer after it published pictures it said showed Hollande arriving via scooter to meet the actress at a Paris address.

The scandal led to the president ending his relationship with Valerie Trierweiler, his partner since 2006.

It is not known whether Hollande, 59, has continued his liaison with Gayet, a respected character actress who has appeared in more than 70 films and is also an activist for the president's Socialist Party.

The Césars are France’s most prestigious film awards. Other nominees this year include Cannes Palme d'Or winner "Blue is the Warmest Colour", up for best film, and Catherine Deneuve, who was nominated for best actress for her role in "On My Way".